College Football Rankings 2013: Projecting Week 4's Top 25 Teams

College Football Rankings 2013: Projecting Week 4's Top 25 Teams

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Alabama and Texas A&M headline Week 3 of college football, and all eyes will be on College Station as the two newfound rivals square off in the game that will have the biggest impact on the Week 4 Top 25 rankings.

Can the Crimson Tide exact revenge on Johnny Manziel and the Aggies? Or Will Texas A&M rise as the new king of the Southeastern Conference?

Meanwhile, three other Texas teams will play in key contests, giving them a shot at gaining ground in the rankings.

Finally, find out what small-conference program is poised to emerge as this year's Boise State.

25. Fresno State

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Week 3: at Colorado

Not many would have guessed that when Fresno State took on Boise State on Sept. 20, the Bulldogs would be the ones ranked in the Top 25.

However, thanks to how the early season has played out, that could very well happen.

Fresno State is currently rated No. 28 in the AP poll and No. 27 in the coaches poll, but a win at Colorado, the Bulldogs' second over a BCS foe, and losses at the back of the ratings, will be enough to send the Mountain West Conference contenders into the rankings.

Boise State will host Fresno State Friday, Sept. 20 at 9 p.m. EDT on ESPN.

24. Texas

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Week 3: vs. No. 25 Ole Miss

After a crushing loss to BYU, Texas dropped from No. 15 all the way out of both polls.

Luckily the Longhorns return home to host a beatable Top 25 opponent, giving them a golden opportunity to right the ship and regain their ranking before Big 12 Conference play starts.

The Longhorns chances may depend heavily on the status of quarterback David Ash. Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman reported that he is questionable with head and shoulder injuries.

With Ash, the 'Horns should be able to drive the Rebels out of Austin and squeak back into the rankings. With Ash out of the lineup, Ole Miss might have the upper hand.

23. Texas Tech

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Week 3: vs. No. 24 TCU

Texas Tech has its first chance for a signature win under new head coach Kliff Kingsbury when it hosts TCU.

The Horned Frogs will be reeling a bit when they come to Lubbock after the injury to quarterback Casey Pachall in Week 2.

Meanwhile, TTU has its quarterback situation all set, as the Red Raiders found a diamond in the rough with walk-on Baker Mayfield. Mayfield already has 780 passing yards and seven touchdowns on the season, as he ranks No. 3 in the nation in passing yards per game.

Behind Mayfield and a deep receiving corps, Texas Tech will knock off TCU and takes its place in the Top 25.

22. Baylor

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Week 3: Bye

In its first two games, Baylor accumulated enough yardage and scored enough points for four or five weeks, so it was only right for it to take a rest Week 3.

The Bears will have one final dress rehearsal Sept. 21 against Louisiana-Monroe before embarking on their Big 12 slate against West Virginia the following week.

Baylor currently ranks No. 1 in the country in total offense and No. 2 in scoring offense, as they have averaged 736.5 yards and 69.5 points in the first two weeks.

21. Notre Dame

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Week 3: at Purdue

Notre Dame may still be drained from an emotional 41-30 defeat at Michigan in Week 2.

However, that shouldn't matter too much against Purdue.

The Boilermakers looked poor in a narrow 20-14 win over Indiana State and even worse in a 42-7 loss to Cincinnati to open the season.

The Fighting Irish should be able to knuckle up and knock out Purdue with one hand tied behind their back.

20. Washington

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Week 3: at Illinois

After an enormous Week 1 win over Boise State, Washington took a week off to prepare for Illinois.

The matchup became much more intriguing after the Illini clubbed Cincinnati 45-17, but the Huskies are still a superior team.